Hello Friends!

So as most of you know, I have been in VT since August, serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA. I chose to spend a year after graduation volunteering for Community Friends Mentoring, a mentoring program that matches youth with with positive adult role models. Community Friends is a program of the HowardCenter, which is the designated mental health agency of the Burlington area. This March, I'll be participating in one of the HowardCenter's largest fundraisers which is a curling competition (yes, like the Olympic sport)! I'll be helping to coordinate volunteers and organize this event and I'm also making a team to compete in the event. Last year this event raised $48,000 for the agency, and $13,000 of this went straight to Community Friends Mentoring, so it is a very important event for our program.

As a mentor in the Community Friends program, I have seen the impact that our volunteers have on the lives of the kids in the program, so I can assure you that the money raised from this event is going to a worthy cause. Aside from our program, the HowardCenter does work caring for children, adults, and families with issues that all of us have experienced in some way. HowardCenter clinicians and staff work 24/7 to help individuals and families experiencing depression and other mental illness; alcohol and substance abuse; and intellectual disabilities, including autism. The work that the organization performs makes a real difference in the lives of those who are facing these challenges. If you're interested, check out the Community Friends website (I just redesigned it!) and you'll be able to see the HowardCenter main page as well.

I have chosen to give a year of service to an organization who is helping to improve the lives of those in need and it would mean a lot to me if you would join me in making a donation. To make a donation, please visit my fundraising page and click on the "Donate" button at the bottom. If you prefer to send a check, please make it payable to HowardCenter, add a note that you would like to contribute to my fundraising efforts and mail it to my address below.

Thank you so much for your support.

Kayla